General advice to ventilate for heat can conflict with instructions to keep smoke out. Use current local emergency advice and ask for help if the home cannot remain suitable for the people in it.
Follow the incident instructions
Check the local authority and fire-service messages for the affected area and their update times. If told to stay indoors with doors and windows closed, follow that advice unless an evacuation instruction changes it. Do not apply a routine night-ventilation plan automatically while smoke is present.
- Keep the official update page accessible.
- Avoid unnecessary trips into the affected area.
Reduce indoor heat safely
Use suitable shading and turn off unnecessary heat-producing equipment where safe. Follow current public-health advice about fans and individual care needs. Keep suitable drinks accessible. If someone relies on a powered device, use its approved contingency plan. Do not improvise air-treatment systems or assume an ordinary dust mask makes outdoor exposure safe.
- Keep medicines under their specified storage conditions.
- Check on agreed contacts remotely.
Seek support before conditions become unsafe
Tell the relevant care, health or local support service if heat or breathing concerns make the home unsuitable. Seek medical advice for persistent or worsening symptoms and emergency help for serious illness. When officials say conditions have improved, reassess safe ventilation; do not assume a temporary change in wind means the incident is over.
- Follow evacuation instructions promptly.
- Keep the departure bag reachable.
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